WILSON, N.C. — July 10, 2015 — Ten international scholars recently converged on the Barton College campus in Wilson to attend the Third Annual Scholars Conversation hosted by the College’s Center for Religious Studies, under the direction of Dr. Rodney A. Werline, Professor and Marie and Leman Barnhill Endowed Chair of Religious Studies.

Attendees for the scholars’ event included Dr. Angela Kim Harkins, the Marie Currie International Incoming Fellow, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame), Dr. Loren T. Stuckenbruck from Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany (Ph. D., Princeton Theological Seminary), Dr. Jeremy Penner from University of Helsinki (Ph.D., McMaster University), Dr. Daniel K. Falk from Penn State University (Ph.D., University of Cambridge), Dr. Richard Sarason from Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion (Ph.D., Brown University), Dr. Laura Lieber from Duke University (Ph.D., University of Chicago), Dr. Jennie Garillo from Duke Divinity School (Ph.D., University of Oxford), Dr. Kelley Coblentz-Bautch from St. Edward’s University (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame), and Dr. Francis Flannery from James Madison University (Ph.D., The University of Iowa). Two other past participants, Dr. Judith Newman from the University of Toronto (Ph.D., Harvard University) and Anathea Portier-Young from Duke Divinity School (Ph.D., Duke University) were unable to attend this year as a result of scheduling conflicts.

For the past three years, the Scholars Conversation at Barton College has focused on early Jewish and Christian prayer texts—from the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Pseudepigrapha, New Testament, rabbinic literature, and 2nd-4th century Christian literature. The participants are asked to present research ideas related to this topic that are in beginning stages. Thus, in their presentations, each scholar takes about 20 minutes to present observations about a particular prayer or group of prayers and his or her preliminary assessment of aspects of the text. An open 25-minute discussion follows.

“Dr. Norval Kneten, former president of Barton College, presented this distinctive format to me and encouraged its use as our plans to host such an event for the Center for Religious Studies evolved,” explained Werline. “He wanted to establish a setting in which scholars participated in meaningful discussion with one another and did not simply read the results of their research to one another. From the beginning, the goal has been to provide a setting that nourishes new ideas.”

Werline added, “During the first year of the meeting, I had to reassure the scholars several times that, indeed, they were to present their initial thoughts and theories about a prayer text and not the final, polished product. At first, without a manuscript in hand, which is the way conferences usually proceed, everyone felt as if they were working without a net—it was quite daunting. However, the format has proven to generate so much conversation that I must inevitably interrupt the discussions so that we can move on to the next presentation.”

To the best of Dr. Werline’s knowledge, such a format does not—or rarely—exists in this area of scholarship. Dr. Werline mused that one of the attendees said the experience was like her best memories of graduate studies, but without the stress, and the participants have much larger bibliographies in their heads.

The fruitful discussions have already resulted in the publication of several scholarly articles or will soon become portions of books. Further, one of the past participants, Dr. Judith Newman, used the same format when she hosted a conversation at Emmanuel College in the University of Toronto at the end of the fall 2014 semester.

“A few of the attendees have begun to ask if there is a way to team with Barton College and host the event at their institution at some point in the future. So, perhaps Barton College will be working with another university in the U.S., Canada, or Europe to jointly co-host the event in the future. These possibilities sound wonderful,” noted Werline. Finally, while the conference does not address matters of contemporary faith, it is worth noting that the group includes both Jewish and Christian scholars.

The Scholars Conversation is only one aspect of the work of the Barton College Center for Religious Studies. The Center has recently received the first portion of a $36,700 grant from NetVUE and Council of Independent Colleges to establish a program to help students reflect on meaning and purpose in their future vocations. That work has already started, but will gain momentum now that the grant funding has arrived.

Also, the Center works with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina to provide programming to assist local congregations. This past spring, the Center began the School for Congregational Leadership, which will provide the educational component for an apprentice-track toward ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the College moved the E.G. Purcell, Jr., Bible Conference and the Thedford G. and Woodrow W. Sprinkle Lecture to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) North Carolina Regional Assembly, where over 150 people attended each lecture this year. For more information on the Center for Religious studies, visit http://www.barton.edu/center-for-religious-studies/.

For additional information about the Scholars Conversation or the Center for Religious Studies at Barton College, please contact Dr. Rodney A. Werline at 252-399-6447 or rawerline@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. — July 10, 2015 — Ten international scholars recently converged on the Barton College campus in Wilson to attend the Third Annual Scholars Conversation hosted by the College’s Center for Religious Studies, under the direction of Dr. Rodney A. Werline, Professor and Marie and Leman Barnhill Endowed Chair of Religious Studies.

Attendees for the scholars’ event included Dr. Angela Kim Harkins, the Marie Currie International Incoming Fellow, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame), Dr. Loren T. Stuckenbruck from Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany (Ph. D., Princeton Theological Seminary), Dr. Jeremy Penner from University of Helsinki (Ph.D., McMaster University), Dr. Daniel K. Falk from Penn State University (Ph.D., University of Cambridge), Dr. Richard Sarason from Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion (Ph.D. Brown University), Dr. Laura Lieber from Duke University (Ph.D., University of Chicago), Dr. Jennie Garillo from Duke Divinity School (Ph.D, University of Oxford), Dr. Kelley Coblentz-Bautch from St. Edward’s University (Ph.D. University of Notre Dame), and Dr. Francis Flannery from James Madison University (Ph.D., The University of Iowa). Two other past participants, Dr. Judith Newman from the University of Toronto (Ph.D., Harvard University) and Anathea Portier-Young from Duke Divinity School (Ph.D., Duke University) were unable to attend this year as a result of scheduling conflicts.

For the past three years, the Scholars Conversation at Barton College has focused on early Jewish and Christian prayer texts—from the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Pseudepigrapha, New Testament, rabbinic literature, and 2nd-4th century Christian literature. The participants are asked to present research ideas related to this topic that are in beginning stages. Thus, in their presentations, each scholar takes about 20 minutes to present observations about a particular prayer or group of prayers and his or her preliminary assessment of aspects of the text. An open 25-minute discussion follows.

“Dr. Norval Kneten, former president of Barton College, presented this distinctive format to me and encouraged its use as our plans to host such an event for the Center for Religious Studies evolved,” explained Werline. “He wanted to establish a setting in which scholars participated in meaningful discussion with one another and did not simply read the results of their research to one another. From the beginning, the goal has been to provide a setting that nourishes new ideas.”

Werline added, “During the first year of the meeting, I had to reassure the scholars several times that, indeed, they were to present their initial thoughts and theories about a prayer text and not the final, polished product. At first, without a manuscript in hand, which is the way conferences usually proceed, everyone felt as if they were working without a net—it was quite daunting. However, the format has proven to generate so much conversation that I must inevitably interrupt the discussions so that we can move on to the next presentation.”

To the best of Dr. Werline’s knowledge, such a format does not—or rarely—exists in this area of scholarship. Dr. Werline mused that one of the attendees said the experience was like her best memories of graduate studies, but without the stress, and the participants have much larger bibliographies in their heads.

The fruitful discussions have already resulted in the publication of several scholarly articles or will soon become portions of books. Further, one of the past participants, Dr. Judith Newman, used the same format when she hosted a conversation at Emmanuel College in the University of Toronto at the end of the fall 2014 semester.

“A few of the attendees have begun to ask if there is a way to team with Barton College and host the event at their institution at some point in the future. So, perhaps Barton College will be working with another university in the U.S., Canada, or Europe to jointly co-host the event in the future. These possibilities sound wonderful,” noted Werline. Finally, while the conference does not address matters of contemporary faith, it is worth noting that the group includes both Jewish and Christian scholars.

The Scholars Conversation is only one aspect of the work of the Barton College Center for Religious Studies. The Center has recently received the first portion of a $36,700 grant from NetVUE and Council of Independent Colleges to establish a program to help students reflect on meaning and purpose in their future vocations. That work has already started, but will gain momentum now that the grant funding has arrived.

Also, the Center works with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina to provide programming to assist local congregations. This past spring, the Center began the School for Congregational Leadership, which will provide the educational component for an apprentice-track toward ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the College moved the E.G. Purcell, Jr., Bible Conference and the Thedford G. and Woodrow W. Sprinkle Lecture to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) North Carolina Regional Assembly, where over 150 people attended each lecture this year. For more information on the Center for Religious studies, visit http://www.barton.edu/center-for-religious-studies/.

For additional information about the Scholars Conversation or the Center for Religious Studies at Barton College, please contact Dr. Rodney A. Werline at 252-399-6447 or rawerline@barton.edu.

END

]]>http://www.barton.edu/2015/07/international-scholars-conversation-hosted-at-barton-college/feed/0Assistant Professor of Athletic Traininghttp://www.barton.edu/2015/07/assistant-professor-of-athletic-training/
http://www.barton.edu/2015/07/assistant-professor-of-athletic-training/#commentsFri, 10 Jul 2015 20:08:29 +0000http://www.barton.edu/?p=13303The School of Nursing invites applications for a one-year, non-tenure-track, faculty position in Athletic Training. In addition to teaching courses in Athletic Training, the candidate will serve as the Athletic Training Program Director and Clinical Education Coordinator. Qualifications

A master’s degree is required. Applicants must be committed to undergraduate education and demonstrate excellence in teaching, [...]]]>

The School of Nursing invites applications for a one-year, non-tenure-track, faculty position in Athletic Training. In addition to teaching courses in Athletic Training, the candidate will serve as the Athletic Training Program Director and Clinical Education Coordinator.

Qualifications

A master’s degree is required. Applicants must be committed to undergraduate education and demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarship, professional service, and engaging students inside and outside the classroom. Professional experience and experience teaching at the college level are also desirable. Additionally, candidates must be a licensed athletic trainers and hold a current certification in North Carolina.

About the College

Located in Wilson, North Carolina, Barton College is an academic community of approximately 1,000 students and 200 faculty and staff. With a population of 45,000, Wilson offers a friendly and comfortable environment and is 45 minutes away from Raleigh, the state capital. Nationally recognized for its programs in education, deaf education, nursing and social work and its championship athletics teams, the school maintains a close-knit atmosphere and emphasizes individual attention and engaged learning. Our 65-acre campus is home to Barton Bulldogs varsity athletics and boasts five residence halls, the W. N. Hackney Library, the Kennedy Recreation & Intramural Center, and other state-of-the-art facilities. In 1923 the College adopted the words Habebunt Lumen Vitae — “They shall have the light of life” — as its official college motto. Barton College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Barton is proud of its solid melding of the liberal arts and professional programs as well as its strong presence in the community.

To Apply

Review of candidates for this position will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualifications for this position to employment@barton.edu. Barton College is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and welcomes all applicants. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

]]>http://www.barton.edu/2015/07/assistant-professor-of-athletic-training/feed/0APP Admissions Counselor/Technology Specialisthttp://www.barton.edu/2015/07/app-admissions-counselortechnology-specialist/
http://www.barton.edu/2015/07/app-admissions-counselortechnology-specialist/#commentsTue, 07 Jul 2015 14:54:22 +0000http://www.barton.edu/?p=13290The Accelerated Professional Programs Admissions Counselor/Technology Specialist will contribute to the overall recruitment and enrollment efforts of the admissions office at Barton College by planning and implementing processes and systems for attracting and matriculating transfer college students. Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following specific duties:

Recruiting eligible students interested in the Accelerated [...]]]>The Accelerated Professional Programs Admissions Counselor/Technology Specialist will contribute to the overall recruitment and enrollment efforts of the admissions office at Barton College by planning and implementing processes and systems for attracting and matriculating transfer college students.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following specific duties:

Recruiting eligible students interested in the Accelerated Professional Programs

Communicating the admissions process, financial aid, and other subjects pertaining to enrolling at Barton College

Supporting the admissions office’s CRM, Jenzabar EX, including communication of updates, reporting/report building, oversight of the communications flow, collaborations with other offices for a more efficient process for students, supporting a transition to a paperless environment, and various other responsibilities with technology

Presenting information about Barton College to students, parents, educators, and alumni and maintaining continuous communication

Planning, arranging, and conducting recruitment-related travel to community colleges, college fairs, work places, agencies, and conferences

Interviewing prospective students, evaluating applications, and presenting them to the admissions committee

Building and maintaining relationships with the community colleges, junior colleges, and other four-year institutions regarding recruitment, with support and emphasis on articulation agreements currently in place and agreements that will be set forth in the future

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; familiarity with selective liberal arts colleges and non-profit organizations; excellent oral and written communication skills; strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to make sound administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues; ability to research, organize, coordinate meetings, and produce reports; ability to work independently and with team as well as with various constituencies; travel, evening and weekend hours; possess a valid driver’s license. Advanced experience with technology and programming; Jenzabar EX and InfoMaker experience a plus. Preference given to individuals with prior experience related to higher education.

To Apply

All interested applicants please send resume and cover letter to Amanda Metts, Assistant Vice President for Admissions, at ahmetts@barton.edu. Please, no phone inquiries.

]]>http://www.barton.edu/2015/07/app-admissions-counselortechnology-specialist/feed/0Barton Announces President’s List and Dean’s List for 2015 Spring Semesterhttp://www.barton.edu/2015/06/barton-announces-presidents-list-and-deans-list-for-2015-spring-semester/
http://www.barton.edu/2015/06/barton-announces-presidents-list-and-deans-list-for-2015-spring-semester/#commentsFri, 05 Jun 2015 18:42:52 +0000http://www.barton.edu/?p=13190WILSON, N.C. — June 5, 2015 — Barton College named 81 students to the President’s List and 309 students to the Dean’s List for spring semester 2015. President’s List students compiled a perfect 4.0 grade point average; Dean’s List students achieved a grade point average of 3.3 or better on a four-point scale.

President’s List, [...]]]>

WILSON, N.C. — June 5, 2015 — Barton College named 81 students to the President’s List and 309 students to the Dean’s List for spring semester 2015. President’s List students compiled a perfect 4.0 grade point average; Dean’s List students achieved a grade point average of 3.3 or better on a four-point scale.

]]>http://www.barton.edu/2015/06/barton-announces-presidents-list-and-deans-list-for-2015-spring-semester/feed/0Barton College to Receive $36,700 Grant from CIC and NetVUEhttp://www.barton.edu/2015/06/barton-college-to-receive-36700-grant-from-cic-and-netvue/
http://www.barton.edu/2015/06/barton-college-to-receive-36700-grant-from-cic-and-netvue/#commentsTue, 02 Jun 2015 21:03:08 +0000http://www.barton.edu/?p=13184WILSON, N.C. — June 2, 2015 — NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education), a program administered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), has awarded Barton College a $36,700 two-year grant to develop a program intended to provide Barton students with an opportunity to reflect upon vocation.

The program, titled Life Matters, is housed within [...]]]>

WILSON, N.C. — June 2, 2015 — NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education), a program administered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), has awarded Barton College a $36,700 two-year grant to develop a program intended to provide Barton students with an opportunity to reflect upon vocation.

The program, titled Life Matters, is housed within the Center for Religious Studies at Barton College, and is a joint enterprise with the Office of Student Success and the Office of the Chaplain. The program is not simply a career choice program. Rather, the program will lead students in reflecting holistically on the shape of their lives and ask each student to consider how vocation fits within that vision. Further, the program will encourage students to consider how their vocations can contribute to the greater good.

The Life Matters program will serve Barton College’s mission of “providing programs and opportunities to encourage the intellectual, spiritual, social, and cultural development of its students and to challenge them for future leadership and service to their local and global communities.”

The program will develop student cohorts that will meet for dialog with each other and faculty advisors and for meals with guest speakers who will share their own narratives. At the end of each of year during the grant, students will participate in a retreat that will help them synthesize and incorporate their developing understanding of vocation. In addition to guiding the cohorts, faculty and staff leaders will develop one-hour classes offered in a series of topics such as “Success,” “Fear of Failure,” “Happiness,” “Friendship,” “Voices of Authority,” “Community,” and “My Story,” and “Resiliency [or Grit].” These classes will be available to cohort members and any interested Barton students, and will provide a point of engagement with students outside the program.

Participating in the ceremony were Barton students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2014 and May 2015, and baccalaureate candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over [...]]]>

WILSON, N.C. — May 20, 2015 — Two hundred and fifty-seven Barton College seniors received diplomas on Sunday, May 17, during the school’s 113th annual commencement exercises.

Participating in the ceremony were Barton students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2014 and May 2015, and baccalaureate candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer.

Graduates are listed by their hometowns; their names are followed by degrees and majors and, where applicable, honors will appear in parentheses. Graduates obtaining a grade point average of 3.90 or higher are graduated summa cum laude; 3.60 or higher, magna cum laude; and 3.30 or higher, cum laude.

]]>http://www.barton.edu/2015/05/barton-college-announces-2015-graduates/feed/0Summer Brock Named to CASE DISTRICT III Board of Directorshttp://www.barton.edu/2015/05/summer-brock-named-to-case-district-iii-board-of-directors/
http://www.barton.edu/2015/05/summer-brock-named-to-case-district-iii-board-of-directors/#commentsWed, 20 May 2015 17:47:42 +0000http://www.barton.edu/?p=13150WILSON, N.C. — May 20, 2015 — Barton College’s Summer Brock, director of alumni and parent relations, has been appointed to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s District III Board of Directors for a two-year term.

CASE District III is one of eight regional districts of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education [...]]]>

WILSON, N.C. — May 20, 2015 — Barton College’s Summer Brock, director of alumni and parent relations, has been appointed to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s District III Board of Directors for a two-year term.

CASE District III is one of eight regional districts of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education that support educational and professional institutions in North America by enhancing the effectiveness of the alumni relations, fund raising, communications, marketing and other advancement professionals who serve them. The CASE District III Board is composed of 36 volunteers who oversee operations, programming and services in nine states located in the Southeast.

Brock has served in her current role at Barton College for approximately 10 years and has more than 27 years of experience in college alumni relations. Prior to joining the Barton community, she served as executive director of alumnae and alumni for Goucher College in Baltimore, Md. Earlier professional appointments have included director of alumni relations at Keuka College in Keuka Park, N.Y., associate vice president for institutional advancement and director of alumni affairs at Methodist University in Fayetteville, executive director of the Methodist University Foundation, and director of development for alumni affairs and director of alumni affairs at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg.

“Having been a volunteer for CASE III conferences for a number of years, it is an honor to be asked to serve on the CASE III Board of Directors,” shared Brock. “ I look forward to this new leadership role and the impact it can have for Barton College.”

Brock earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts – Theatre from St. Andrews University and continued her education with graduate studies in theatre/speech communications at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Her professional memberships include Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Fraternity.

A native of Durham, Brock is the daughter of Dorothy P. Brock of Wilson and the late W.R. Brock.

END

]]>http://www.barton.edu/2015/05/summer-brock-named-to-case-district-iii-board-of-directors/feed/0The Sun Shone Brightly on Barton College Graduates at 113th Commencement Exerciseshttp://www.barton.edu/2015/05/the-sun-shone-brightly-on-barton-college-graduates-at-113th-commencement-exercises/
http://www.barton.edu/2015/05/the-sun-shone-brightly-on-barton-college-graduates-at-113th-commencement-exercises/#commentsSun, 17 May 2015 19:56:26 +0000http://www.barton.edu/?p=13131WILSON, N.C. — May 17, 2015 — The sun shone brightly on graduates and their families as they gathered with the Barton College community on center campus for Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 17.

WILSON, N.C. — May 17, 2015 — The sun shone brightly on graduates and their families as they gathered with the Barton College community on center campus for Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 17.

Two hundred and fifty-seven seniors participated in the 113th annual commencement exercises. Dr. Norval C. Kneten presided over his twelfth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Gary Daynes, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented the graduating class. Mr. Gregg A. DeMar, chair of the Barton College Board of Trustees, presented the Board’s Approval of the Graduating Class.

The Honorable Sidney S. Eagles, Jr., of Raleigh, delivered the commencement address. Now retired as Chief Judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, Judge Eagles has served as a judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals for over 20 years. He currently practices law in the Raleigh office of Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP. A past chair and vice chair of the Barton College Board of Trustees, he served on the College’s Board of Trustees for 24 years, retiring in fall 2014.

Judge Eagles received the Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, from Barton College during the commencement ceremonies.

Participating in this year’s commencement ceremony were students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2014 and May 2015, as well as candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer.

The three highest honors presented to Barton students: the Hilley Cup, the Coggins Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, were awarded during the program. The Hilley Cup, presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average, was awarded to Cassandra Lee Gaston of Nashville, N.C., who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Management. The Coggins Cup, presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff, was awarded to Kasey Lynn Byzewski of Virginia Beach, Va., who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. The Hemby Leadership Cup, presented to the graduating senior who, in the estimation of the college community (including students, faculty and staff), has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College was awarded to Tiere Jerome Lindsey of New Bern, N.C., who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

In celebration of teaching excellence in the classroom and faculty commitment to student success, the Lincoln Financial Faculty Member of the Year awards were presented to Dr. Elizabeth P. Dennis, associate professor of English, and Dr. Murali K. Ranganathan, professor of mathematics.

Leah Christian Farmer, senior class president, addressed the graduating class. Brenda Hobbs Whaley, class of 1998, president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, brought greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association.

The Reverend Jamie C. Eubanks, chaplain of the college, officiated at the baccalaureate service, and the Reverend Shelton R. Keyes, pastor of Hickory Grove Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ), and uncle of graduating senior Charmayne Simpson, delivered the sermon on Sunday morning.

Other commencement festivities during the weekend included a luncheon for seniors and their parents on Saturday, hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Norval C. Kneten, at the Barton-Graves House. The pinning ceremony for the graduating seniors of the School of Nursing was held earlier on Saturday morning in Howard Chapel.

WILSON, N.C. — May 11, 2015 — The Honorable Sidney S. Eagles, Jr., will be the featured speaker at the 113th annual commencement exercises of Barton College scheduled for Sunday, May 17, on center campus at 1:30 p.m. Wilson Gymnasium is the rain site. Dr. Norval [...]]]>

Exercises Scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 1:30 p.m.

WILSON, N.C. — May 11, 2015 — The Honorable Sidney S. Eagles, Jr., will be the featured speaker at the 113th annual commencement exercises of Barton College scheduled for Sunday, May 17, on center campus at 1:30 p.m. Wilson Gymnasium is the rain site. Dr. Norval C. Kneten will preside over his twelfth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Gary Daynes, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will present the graduating class of 257 seniors.

Judge Eagles will receive the Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, from Barton College during the commencement ceremonies.

Participating in this year’s commencement ceremony will be students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2014 and May 2015, as well as candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer.

The three highest honors presented to Barton students: the Coggins Cup, the Hilley Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, will be awarded. The Coggins Cup is presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff. The Hilley Cup is presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average. The Hemby Leadership Cup is presented to the graduating senior, who in the estimation of the college community (including students, faculty and staff) has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College.

The Lincoln Financial Faculty Member of the Year awards will also be presented. The awards, given annually to two faculty members, include a cash stipend for international study.

Brenda Hobbs Whaley, class of 1998, president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, will bring greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association.

Barton’s Commencement Day program will begin with the baccalaureate service Sunday morning, May 17, at 11 a.m. in Howard Chapel. The Reverend Jamie C. Eubanks, chaplain of the college, will officiate at the service, and the Reverend Shelton R. Keyes, pastor of Hickory Grove Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ), and uncle of graduating senior Charmayne Simpson, will deliver the baccalaureate sermon.

Lunch will be served in the Hamlin Student Center Dining Hall from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at no charge for seniors and $6.00 each for family members and guests.

The Commencement festivities will include a picnic for graduating seniors and their families on Saturday morning, May 16, at 11:30 a.m., hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Norval C. Kneten at the Barton-Graves House.

The pinning ceremony for the graduates of the School of Nursing will be held in Howard Chapel on the Barton College campus earlier on Saturday morning, May 16, at 10 a.m.

___________

About the speaker —

The Honorable Sidney S. Eagles, Jr., now retired as Chief Judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, has served as a judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals for over 20 years. He currently practices law in the Raleigh office of Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP. A past chair and vice chair of the Barton College Board of Trustees, he served on the College’s Board of Trustees for 24 years, retiring in fall 2014.

Born in Asheville and reared in Saratoga, Judge Eagles is the son of the late Mildred Truman Brite Eagles and the late Sidney S. Eagles. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law.

Early in his professional career, Judge Eagles served in roles as Revisor of Statutes, special deputy attorney general, and as Counsel to the N.C. Speaker of the House. He regularly argued cases before the N.C. Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. He also has argued in the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. In addition, he served for 32 years as an adjunct professor in the Campbell University School of Law.

Judge Eagles has served in distinguished leadership roles for numerous organizations including, but not limited to, the American Bar Association, the Executive Club of Raleigh, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh. His professional memberships have extended to the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Association of Defense Lawyers, the Wake County Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the 10th Judicial District Bar. An active member of Hillyer Memorial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Raleigh, he has served his church as an elder, deacon, trustee, and chair of the board. He also currently serves on the Wake Forest University School of Law’s Board of Visitors and has served as president for the Wake County Bar Association and the 10th Judicial District Bar.

Among his many recognitions, Judge Eagles has been presented with the James Iredell Award for service to legal education by the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity chapter at Campbell University. He was named the Kiwanian of the Year in 1988. And, in 1982, Wake Forest University School of Law named Judge Eagles as the school’s Alumnus of the Year. In 2008, he was presented with the Joseph Branch Professionalism Award by the Wake County Bar Association, which recognized Judge Eagles as an attorney who best exhibits the qualities of professionalism displayed by the late Joseph Branch, former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. In 2013, Judge Eagles was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers.

A retired Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve, Judge Eagles was honored with the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.

He currently makes his home in Raleigh with his wife, the former Rachel Phillips of Nashville, Tenn. They have two adult daughters: Virginia Brite Eagles of Raleigh; and Judge Margaret Phillips Eagles, who also makes her home in Raleigh, with husband Don Carlos “Trey” Flowers III, and their son, Charles Thornton Eagles Flowers.